Kaduna: KADSIECOM Fixes 12 May For LG Elections

Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) has announced that elections into the positions of Chairmanship, vice Chairmanship and counselorship in the 23 local government areas of the state will hold on the 12th May, 2018.

This followed the passage of the bill by the state house of assembly to allow the use of electronic machine for voting.

Recall that the election was earlier scheduled to hold in December 2017 but cancelled due to legistlative challenges and non passage of the bill prior to the announcement of the election date then.

Meanwhile, addressing political parties and relevant stakeholders in the state, Chairman of the commission, Dr Saratu Binta Dikko-Audu said all is now set and in order to conduct the election.

” May I therefore in compliance with the appropriate provisions of the law formally announce that the commission has completed plans to hold elections to positions of Chairman, vice Chairman and counsellors in all the 23 local government areas of Kaduna state on Saturday, 12th May, 2018.

“You are already aware that we shall be using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and the smart card readers in the conduct of these elections. All citizens for ho have been issued with the INEC Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) shall be eligible to participate in the election.

” Electioneering campaign by political parties and candidates are by thisbnotoce authorised to begin. Party primaries may be organized as from 20th February until 27th March, 2018 with the campaigns ending at midnight of 11th May, 2018.

” Stakeholders, especially political parties and candidates are strongly advised to ensure that they must strictly follow the election timetable and guidelines in order not to offend the State Electoral Law.

” KADSIECOM also appeals to all citizens of Kaduna State to remain law abiding , peaceful and ensure that they vote in candidates of high integrity who will put the interest of the people above their personal interests.

” KADSIECOM wishes to appeal to all stakeholders especially the political parties, their candidates and all politicians to respect the rule of law, avoid hate speeches and violence and ensure that these elections are peaceful”.

While assuring that the commission is committed to conducting elections that are free, fair and credible,the chairman of the commission disclosed that enough electronic machine has been acquired, stressing that each of the polling units will have the machines with backups and rapid response team in case of any challenge.

She however informed that the machines will be deployed to all the wards in the state effective from next week for test running, urging electorates to avail themselves the opportunity of using the machine before the actual election date.

Meanwhile, she said, each chairmanship candidates will be expected to pay N200,000 while counsellors will be expected to pay N50,000 to be financially eligible to contest in the election.